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Convertable for a grand?

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Pub conversation - "Can you buy a convertable for a grand that would last all summer?"  Well can you??
"For every complicated problem, there is always a simple, wrong answer"
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Comments

  • k6chris
    k6chris Posts: 784 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    "For every complicated problem, there is always a simple, wrong answer"
  • caprikid1
    caprikid1 Posts: 2,440 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I think with an NB MX5 with a bit a scabby paintwork you might get 2 summers if looked after and plenty of underbody anti corrosion. All going well you will get your money back too. Like all of these things rust is the killer.
  • 400ixl
    400ixl Posts: 4,482 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Yes, of course you can. There are lots of older convertibles in this price bracket that will last for years. Some of the older MGF's MX5's would be good examples of cheap fun convertibles. Other than the roof it is no different to any other sub £1k car lasting a year which tens of thousands do every year
  • jimbo6977
    jimbo6977 Posts: 1,280 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    We have a one-owner Megane mk1 convertible that's in very good order and books at about £300. Trouble is that it's so value-less that it's not worth selling, and I would imagine there are probably many other people with decent older-but-not-classic cars in similar situations, which makes me suspect that the ones that are for sale are more likely to be money-pits. 
  • Belenus
    Belenus Posts: 2,755 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Nice car Caprikid1.

    My sister in law has an elderly MX5 in a similar colour that she adores.
    A man walked into a car showroom.
    He said to the salesman, “My wife would like to talk to you about the Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
    Salesman said, “We haven't got a Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
    The man replied, “You have now mate".
  • Of course, if anything the cabriolets of yesteryear are cheaper than their tin-topped brethren.  I'd love an Escort drop head with metallic paint and a velour interior, but have nowhere to keep such a thing.  
  • motorguy
    motorguy Posts: 22,611 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    caprikid1 said:
    "which makes me suspect that the ones that are for sale are more likely to be money-pits"

    When you buy a sub £1000 car you have to assume you are substituting monthly payments for monthly maintenance. 

    Great thing is though is the max you are risking is £1000 but that could then be a few hundred every few months if you are catching up on maintenance such as tyres exhausts etc.

    Also to anyone currently enjoying an exec barge with diesel gate tax rates a petrol convertible can come as a bit of a shock with monthly tax rates equivalent to annual tax rates. 

    If you have a gararge than an aging convertible can also provide a winter hobby. New discs and pads currently being installed on my MK1 MX5 V-Special (£2750).


    I've had maybe half a dozen MX5s over the years.  Fantastic, fun little cars.  

    Prices have went up significantly in recent years on them, and rot is a major issue on 10+ year old cars.

    Still worth seeking out a good one.


  • caprikid1
    caprikid1 Posts: 2,440 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    "Still worth seeking out a good one."

    As with many cars the cost difference between a good and bad car is rarely what it will cost to get a bad car to a good one !.
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